Steven Pienaar wants Ross Barkley to fight for Everton spot

STEVEN PIENAAR has urged Everton youngster Ross Barkley to make his mark as manager David Moyes juggles a wafer-thin squad in the Premier League and FA Cup.

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Thu, Mar 7, 2013

Ross Barkley has been sent out on loan twice this season but could make a start in Saturday's game

The England Under-21 midfielder is back at Goodison Park following loan spells in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds. Moyes is not blessed with a big squad, and Pienaar believes it is time for Barkley to step up and seize his chance.

He said: “I’ve had a word with Ross and still believe he’ll be one of the best players in a few years if he pushes himself. He has the skill, but we can’t just keep on praising him; he has to do it himself.”